Northern Ireland Under-21s boss John Schofield has named a 22-strong squad for this month’s friendlies against Scotland U21s.
The U21s are due to play the Scots at Belfast’s Blanchflower Stadium next Thursday (22 September, 14.30 start) and then at St Mirren’s SMiSA Stadium in Paisley on Sunday 25 September (14.00).
Schofield’s squad for the two matches shows a dozen changes from the one chosen to compete against Spain and Lithuania in U21 Euro qualifiers back in June.
Many of those players are now too old to play for the U21s, however the squad still featuresseveral players with good experience at U21 level.
Four players who were part of the senior panel for the UEFA Nations League quadruple header back in June are included. They are Sunderland defender Trai Hume, Rangers midfielder Charlie McCann, Middlesbrough midfielder Caolan Boyd-Munce and Leeds United midfielder Alfie McCalmont.
In addition Barrow defender Sam McClelland and Nottingham Forest striker Dale Taylor, who were involved with the U21s in early summer, have experience of being part of the senior set-up.
Northern Ireland U21 manager John Schofield
A handful of the players in the new-look squad previously played for Northern Ireland’s U19s, including Arsenal defender Henry Jeffcott, Rangers defender Lewis Mackinnon, Burnley defender Dane McCullough, Ipswich Town defender Cameron Stewart and Larne attacker Matty Lusty.
Norwich City goalkeeper Dylan Berry returns to the ranks after missing the games in June, and also back are Everton midfielder Isaac Price and Fleetwood Town defender Carl Johnston.
Northern Ireland U21s squad to face Scotland U21s:
Goalkeepers – Dermot Mee (Altrincham, on loan from Manchester United), Dylan Berry (Norwich City).
Defenders – Trai Hume (Sunderland), Lewis Mackinnon (Rangers), Henry Jeffcott (Arsenal), Aaron Donnelly (Nottingham Forest), Sam McClelland (Barrow, on loan from Chelsea), Dane McCullough (Burnley), Cameron Stewart (Ipswich Town).
Midfielders – Carl Johnston and Dylan Boyle (both Fleetwood Town), Terry Devlin (Glentoran), Charlie McCann (Rangers), Alfie McCalmont and Charlie Allen (both Leeds United), Isaac Price (Everton), Caolan Boyd-Munce (Middlesbrough), Euan Williams (Charlton Athletic).
Forwards – Ross McCausland (Rangers), Chris McKee (Linfield), Dale Taylor (Nottingham Forest), Matty Lusty (Larne).